Thanks for coming back for another Monday Morning author interview!
Today we’re happy to welcome Scott Kimak, author of I Call Him HIM, a post-apocalyptic telling of the classic tale of good versus evil and the first book in the I Call Him – HIM trilogy . Let’s get right to it!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Almost forty years ago when I was thirteen. Unfortunately, I failed miserably to put pen to paper and waited until just two years ago to give it a second shot. This time the words flowed unrestrained.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I teach government and psychology during the day. My nights are spent teaching and practicing Kung Fu, so obviously I don’t have a lot of time to write. I mainly write during the weekends, holidays and when I’m off for summer break.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
That I have complete silence. I lock myself in my room and turn the fan on to block out any sound from my family or pets.
What does your family think of your writing?
They’ve been very supportive. I read every chapter to them and they always give me positive feedback.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Yes, I keep very active on social media and everyone has given me rave reviews.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
At first, I wanted to be a professional baseball player but that didn’t work out. Then, I fell in love with Kung Fu and I’ve been teaching it ever since.
What is the first book that made you cry?
My books. I know it sound weird, but I get so emotionally attached to my characters that I feel their pain. When I write, I feel myself swept away into the world I’m creating, and I become my characters. My wife teases me about it.
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Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I remain original to the story that I want to tell. I could probably make more money and reach a larger audience if I changed things around, but then I wouldn’t remain true to my story.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
Both Richard Devall and Michael Evan have given me great advice on how to market my books.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
To start creating a social media following much earlier and study marketing.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
On my covers. I think they’ve been incredible
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
Homeland by R.A. Salvatore. I think the Legend of Drizzt novels tell an amazing story of how not to judge people by their race or color.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing up the third book of the “I call him HIM” trilogy. It’s called “The Sword of God” and should be ready for preorder in the summer of 2021.
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What do you have coming soon?
“The Angel of Death” is available for preorder and officially launches on May 6th.
How can all your new fans connect with you?
I’m on various social media, like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and fans are also welcome to come visit my website at www.i-call-him-him.com.
Anything else before you go?
I have a sample from I call him – HIM here. It’s from Chapter 22, The Sewers
It was like a mouth of impenetrable blackness, as the young girl entered the damp, cold snake that wound its way under the worms and other bugs that crawled above. The echoes of footsteps were the only thing to relieve the loneliness inside the giant serpent as their sound rebounded off the walls. Shadows dissolved as quickly as they appeared, giving her nothing but darkness to look forward to.
The gloom of the unknown penetrated the tunnels as it penetrated Katie’s mind. Step by step, her feet splashed through the water and shit of the bowels of the city. Her only comfort in the darkness was her lighter, which barely benefited her vision. However, humans have a great ability to adapt, and her eyes had begun to grow accustomed to the black tunnels. She could now see several feet in front of her and occasionally even further when she came across another sewer drain.
On these occasions, she would pull herself up and peer through the drain to check her location. Down in the dark, it was easy to lose your way, and she wanted to make sure she was still headed in the right direction. She could see hundreds of demons and slaves on the streets, moving about in their daily activities. The demons were forcing the slaves to rebuild the city. They cracked their whips, punishing and prodding the slaves into obedience. What other choice did they have? The freedom of choice no longer existed. The only freedom that remained was the freedom to die, and in her short life, Katie had seen this freedom carried out many times. Suicide was the one choice the demons could not control, and several people she knew had preferred this means of escape.
As Katie continued moving through the dark sewers her thoughts turned to the past, and the tunnels she traversed bore into her soul. They opened the wet sore that will not heal, festering and growing into something she had tried to forget. Maybe it was the lack of light that let these cold memories return, or could it be the solitude and monotony that cracked her heart and bled emotion.
